Friday 19 April 2013 12:14, UK
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio insists last weekend's derby win does not grant him hero status just yet.
Di Canio's laudable pragmatism reflects the position in which he inherited Sunderland from predecessor Martin O'Neill. They remained outside the Premier League relegation zone only on goal difference and had not won in nine games as they headed for St James', and the three points with which they returned, priceless as they were, may count for little if they lose to Everton at the Stadium of Light. That is something they have done 12 times in their last 16 league meetings. Di Canio said: "I have to be honest, obviously the day after Newcastle, I saw a very good mood. It was fantastic for the players. "But I was more happy two days later when we started again with a training session together because, to be honest, I saw them really focused and really concentrated on the next match. "I was worried the day before I met them because I was thinking, 'I don't know them, I haven't known them for many years, so I don't know how they will react'. "That can be a poison instead of an extra lift, but to be honest, the way they have done things in the last few days has made me very happy because I have seen them really focussed for the next match."
